Tinkler tells TWG how he plans to rescue the Jets

In a wide-ranging exclusive interview, Newcastle Jets owner Nathan Tinkler said he is on track to clear the club's outstanding debts and outlined his plan to resuscitate the ailing club.

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Nathan Tinkler outlined his plans to save Newcastle Jets. (AAP)

Newcastle Jets owner Nathan Tinkler has resolved to settle club's debts - but has baulked at committing to meeting the 31 January deadline set by Football Federation Australia.

In a statement of defiance aimed at the governing body, Tinkler turned the tables, declaring: “Is there also a deadline for me getting my $5 million back from the FFA.  Is that a deadline too?

“That would be good. That would really help. FFA is at me for about $500,000, and I am at them for $5 million.

"If they want to set a deadline to resolve those two issues, then I will be more than happy to resolve it by Saturday.”

Tinkler was infamously charged a $5 million acquisition fee, plus $1 million for the licence to rescue the jets from insolvency in 2011.

He is the only A-League owner ever to be charged such a large amount to take over an A-League club.

In what was perceived as a further slap in the face, it later emerged that former FFA consultant, ex-ANZ Stadium boss Ken Edwards, was paid a six-figure sum as a commission to facilitate the sale of the club to Tinkler.

“This is storm in a tea cup stuff ... creditors are getting paid as we speak. It will all be resolved," Tinkler said.

PFA chief Adam Vivian weighs in



“I have said to FFA CEO David Gallop all along that we will deal with bills and this sort of stuff and that is getting dealt with now.

“This media deadline until the end of the month is really just that. I have told David we will take these things on and put the club in good standing and that’s what we’re on the path to doing.

“We are taking the first steps and the process of recapitalising the club will be starting immediately.”

Among several creditors, the Jets owe $140,000 to Football Northern NSW, plus over six months’ worth of unpaid superannuation to players - and FFA has the option of taking back the licence should the debts not be dealt with.

Tinkler, who on Wednesday signed off on the dismissals of three coaches and five senior players in response to a player-led mutiny aimed at overthrowing coach Phil Stubbins, believes the clearout is the first step in changing what he sees as a dysfunctional culture at the club.

“People forget that Ange Postecoglou had a similar clean-out when he took over at Brisbane Roar, and he went on to win back to back titles," Tinkler said.

“I am not saying that’s what we are going to do but we certainly can’t go backwards from here right now.

“Ange dispensed with several senior players also, of whom Craig Moore was one. 

"And there he was sitting on the bench with him when Australia played against UAE in the Asian Cup the other night.

“What's happened here with players is certainly not personal – it’s the club heading in one direction and senior players going in another,

“It’s not quite the emotional upheaval that certain people in the media are trying to portray it as.

“It’s a planned strategic move that many people will say they probably saw coming.”

The cull has claimed captain Kew Jaliens along with teammates David Carney, Billy Celeski, Joel Griffiths and Adrian Madaschi plus assistant coach Clayton Zane, goalkeeping coach Neil Young and strength and conditioning coach Andrew Packer.

Tinkler believes that Stubbins, with a mandate to rebuild, can turn the team around.

“It’s hard to judge a coach when he is forced to take on not just an inherited squad but also an inherited coaching staff – there are not too many coaches in soccer who can say they will win with any squad and any coaching staff,” Tinkler said.

“They need their people around them, people they trust and believe in it implement the style of play they want.

“Now Phil will get the chance to have the squad he wants by the start of next year and for the rest of this year he will have a bunch of players there that will have to prove they are worthy of being in that squad next season.”

Tinkler confirmed that a clutch of new signings will arrive in the coming days.

The list includes Olyroos striker Travis Cooper, Thailand-based Spanish Youth international defender David Rochela, a Korean left back and at least one player from a rival A-League club.

Tinkler said attracting players before the imminent closure of the transfer window had not been a problem, adding: “We actually think the situation we are in has made signing players easier.

"We are pretty happy with the quality of people who have put their hands up to join the club."


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5 min read
Published 29 January 2015 12:51pm
Updated 29 January 2015 3:34pm
By David Lewis
Source: SBS

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